Morning journal and courier., 1887-01-01
ONE WAR SERMON.
A Preacher Who United Enemies
 DP0Vnr.

A Preacher Who United Enemies in
 Prayer.
 At the bar banquet given in Chattanooga Saturday night, in honor of Judges Key and Trewhitt, Colonel Lewis Shepherd made 8 request, seconded by all of the gentlemen present, that MT. Templeton of the Knox vile bar, who present, relate an incl dent which occurred during the war at re- vival service held by his father in north Georgia. MT. Templeton kindly consented and related the following in a.most effective and touching manner, eliciting the most gen. erous applause at his conclusion:
 'sMy father" said Mir. Templeton, sFresides in Chattanooga, but about the time that Sherman made his way into the South he He was preacher, and wherever he went he always preached whenever an opportu- ity afforded.
 ssAbout the time Sherman was driving Johnson towards Atlanta, sometime in the early part of August, 1864, my father was conducting revival at 8 little house called Pine Log Creek church, about ten miles from Calhoun. The times were most terri ble about then; murder, robbery and rapine were of daily occurrence and the whole country was subject to visitations by marau- ding parties from both armies. One day the old gentleman was preaching sermon of unusual power, and before he had gotten we'll oOAoAOAo AOSAS up and dismounting out back of the church, asked if they might be admitted to the church. Of course they were cordially invi- ted in and took prominent seats in the church.
 Not long afterward a cloud of dust was seen in the road from the opposite direction to what the rebels had come, and pretty soon the tramp of horses hoofs was heard, and it was soon discovered that it was a squad of Federal troops, and before the Con- federates in the church could be apprised of the approach they had ridden up to the door. Perceiving that religious services were being held, they alighted and asked to be admitted. They were then told that there were Confederate soldiers in the church, but insisted on going in, and they were admitted likewise.
 Naturally the strange spectacle created some consternation in the congregation, and for time it seemed as if the confusion would break up the meeting. But my fath- CT raised his voice and began most fervently to plead better life, beseeching his soldier hearers to abandon their sins. He preached with unusual force and power, the strange l scene lending him inspiration. Strong men were stirred to the depths and wept like children, and the scene of confusion was ! soon changed to one of strong religious awak. ening.
 "When he had concluded his sermon, as was the custom in those days. he invited
 those who were convicted to come forward
 to the mourner's bench and pray and talk l with him on the all-important subject. ttThen it was that one of the grandest sights ever witnessed occurred. Those sol 1 diers, enemies to each other, engaged in a | bloody war, arose as one man, friend and foe together, and marched to the front of
 the church and kneeled together. Confede-
 rate by Federal, their muskets joining and
 crossing each other, their revo1vers touching 1 each other as they kneeled, their heads
 bowed upon the same altar and their tears
 mingling almost in their deep contrition and
 profound feeling. All animosities were for gotten, all strife forgotten-they were to- | gether as brothers around common altar. 'sAfter the service they met on the out side of the church, they shook hands, pledged fraternity and each party went of, taking opposite directions. They had been looking for each other, perhaps with mur- derous intent They found each other, but they separated with love instead of hate, friendly instead of angry"